An urban prose workshop “In Search of the Spirit of Liepāja” to take place in Liepāja

Focusing on the image of the city and bringing together academic insights and creative practice, the urban prose workshop “In Search of the Spirit of Liepāja” will take place at RTU Liepāja Academy on 15–16 October. The workshop is one of the activities organised as part of the project “Reclaiming Latvian Realism: Literary Innovation as Identity Quest” by the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia.

The urban prose workshop is intended to facilitate the transfer of the latest research findings, foster creative expression grounded in knowledge and awareness, and encourage a broader understanding of the significance of literature in society. The creative writing sessions will focus on representations of the city and artistic techniques, with particular emphasis on exploring and revealing the spirit of place, or genius loci.

The workshop programme includes lectures and seminars on literary realism by researchers Benedikts Kalnačs, Zanda Gūtmane and Artis Ostups; readings of urban prose led by researcher and writer Ilze Jansone; and creative writing sessions led by prose writer Svens Kuzmins.

The workshop will be attended by students of the Master’s programme in Creative Writing at RTU Liepāja Academy.

The aim of the workshop is to develop a contemporary interpretation of Latvian literary realism by combining the latest international research with creative practice. The workshop will conclude on 16 October at 5:00 p.m. with a public reading of new works at the “Pegaza pagalms” cultural venue in Liepāja.

The workshop is one of the activities of the Latvian Council of Science research project “Reclaiming Latvian Realism: Literary Innovation as Identity Quest (REALT)” (lzp-2024/1-0341), implemented by the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia.